After leading Lucasfilm for over 13 years, Kathleen Kennedy is stepping down from her position at the iconic Star Wars franchise created by George Lucas. The Walt Disney Co. announced on Thursday that Dave Filoni will now take the helm as president and chief creative officer of Star Wars, guiding the franchise into its sixth decade and beyond.
Filoni, who previously served as the chief commercial officer of Lucasfilm, will now lead the flagship franchise, with Lynwen Brennan, the president and general manager of Lucasfilm’s businesses, serving as co-president.
Reflecting on her tenure, Kennedy expressed gratitude for the opportunity to work with the exceptional talent at Lucasfilm, mentioning how George Lucas entrusted her with the role. During her time, Kennedy oversaw the significant expansion of the Star Wars universe, following Disney’s acquisition in 2012. Bob Iger, the CEO of Walt Disney Co., praised Kennedy as a visionary filmmaker.
Under Kennedy’s leadership, Lucasfilm achieved substantial success, generating over $5.6 billion at the box office and playing a crucial role in establishing Disney+ as a prominent streaming platform. However, despite these achievements, Kennedy faced challenges in recreating the magic of the original Star Wars trilogy, leading to mixed reactions from fans.
Filoni, known for his work on series like Star Wars: The Clone Wars and The Mandalorian, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to lead Lucasfilm and continue expanding the Star Wars storytelling universe. Both Filoni and Kennedy will report to Alan Bergman, Disney Entertainment co-chairman.
Before joining Lucasfilm, Kennedy had a successful career as a producer, co-founding Amblin Entertainment with Steven Spielberg and producing hit films like E.T., Jurassic Park, and the Back to the Future trilogy. She had a major success with Star Wars: The Force Awakens in 2015, but subsequent films faced mixed reviews.
The Star Wars franchise has seen both successes and challenges under Kennedy’s leadership, with projects like Rogue One receiving widespread acclaim. Despite some setbacks, Kennedy’s influence will continue to shape upcoming Star Wars projects, including the highly anticipated Star Wars: Starfighter set for release in May 2027.
